Love for the King

Posted on Monday, 21, October, 2013Thursday, 22, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Faith and belief are very powerful yet in today’s society it is all too often challenged by science and technology. So many become lost amid the many theories and gadgets that they have a hard time believing in anything based upon faith.

In a society that that offers so many diversions it is very hard to stay on the path of one’s beliefs. The morals of society are often at odds with those of faith. Truth be said we never know how the Holy One, blessed be He will use our small acts of love for His great purposes

There was a wise and kind king who was loved and respected by everyone in his kingdom. Now there was a villager who felt a deep love for the king, and this villager wanted more than anything to draw close to the king and to serve him.

One day, villager heard king’s palace needed a skilled person to like the stoves in the palace every morning. The villager was very qualified for this position, and he applied and was accepted for the job.

The villager did his work with his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, devoting all his energies into his job to make sure the king’s palace would be warm and comfortable. He carried out his job faithfully for many years, driven by his intense desire to serve the king.

As the villager grew older, he began to worry about what would happen when he would pass on. He knew that even if another person was hired to do his job, the other person would not do it with the same devotion and love for the king that he had. He tried to train some of the king’s other servants to carry out his work, but he quickly learned that they were lazy and indifferent, and did not share his desire to bring joy and happiness to the king.

He thought and he thought, until he decided that the only way he could ensure that the king would be served properly was if he were to marry and have children, whom he would raise with the same love and devotion to the king as he had. That his children would be endowed with knowledge and insight, and be competent to serve in the king’s palace. (Daniel 1:4) Then, after his death, his children would take over his role as the lighter of the king’s stoves, and he could rest assured that the work would be done the way he wanted it to be done.

The greatest blessing that can be given is that you should serve the King with the same feeling as the villager, who sole desire was to bring up a new generation of servants who would do the King’s will fully and with boundless love.”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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The Clever Wife

Posted on Sunday, 6, October, 2013Thursday, 22, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Long, long ago, there lived in an old town a happy couple named Avraham and Sarah. Although they loved one another very much, their happiness was not complete. They had been married for nearly ten years, but they had not been blessed with a child.

Sarah would often sit in her room and cry. She prayed every day to Hashem to grant her the blessing of having a son or a daughter. Avraham did his best to comfort her by telling her that Hashem heard her heart felt prayer and would answer them at the right time.

At the same time, he felt very sad when he came home and thought of Sarah’s pain. He would have given anything to have had a little son who might be taught the holy Torah which he loved so well.

The neighbours on their street were not too kind and they hurt Sarah. This made her sadness more bitter. people often said, in Avraham’s hearing, that children are a sign of Hashem’s blessing . Was it not true that the house which lacked the merry laughter of little children was under a curse or spell? Did not the holy Torah teach that it was a mitzvah to marry and have children? Would it not be better, he argued with himself, to divorce his wife, if, after being married for ten years, she had no child? She might marry another man and have children and so find her happiness. All these thoughts flashed again and again through his mind.

At last when the anniversary of their tenth marriage day arrived, Avraham said to his wife, ” Let us visit today our true friend and guide the holy rabbi to ask his advice on what we should do.”

When they came before the holy rabbi, Avraham, with tears in his eyes, said, “Holy Rabbi, my dear wife has been faithful and loving to me during the past ten years. It has pleased Holy One, blessed be He to hold back from us the blessing of children. I fear this is on account of my many sins. It seems to me that our home from now on will not be as happy as it should be; my wife cries everyday and I am sad because she is so unhappy. Is it not my duty to set her free?”

While Avraham was speaking, his wife wept. She knew that if he sent her away from his heart and home, her life would be really sad and lonely. Her deep sorrow touched the heart of her husband, who turned to her and cried, “My dear, sweet, beloved wife do not cry and grieve, for we must submit to the will of the Holy One, blessed be He. Do not think that I am not often sad, because we have no child to bring happiness to your long days. If I could only take away your sorrow and pain, I would most gladly do so. Listen, dearest, I faithfully promise to allow you to choose whatever you like best in our home and you may take it with you to your father’s house as a keepsake when you leave me for good. This will always be a visible token of the deep affection and true love which united us during the past ten years.”

The holy rabbi watched Avraham and Sarah understanding their sorrow. He knew that Avraham had made up his mind to divorce his worthy wife. Nothing would make him change his mind. With a mystical wisdom he spoke to them, “My dear children, I can only pity you, for I am deeply sorry to see how you are about to lose one another. Before you finally part, however, let me advise you to invite all your family and friends to a special seudah (meal), just as they gathered around you ten years ago at your marriage feast. Love united you and in love prepare to separate, if it must be.” Avraham and Sarah promised to follow the advice of the Rabbi and they returned home.

Sarah at once sent to all their friends and provided a most generous meal with music and wine. Her husband sat beside her as usual, and she took care that his wineglass was constantly filled. Good cheer made everyone very happy, and Avraham was determined to spend a jolly evening for the last time in the company of his wife, whom he really loved.

Sarah had carefully prepared her plans. Her husband had spoken to each of his guests, and soon all the excitement made him very tired and he fell deeply asleep. Without a moment’s delay, Sarah called her servants. She told them to lift up the armchair in which her husband sat asleep and to carry it at once to her father’s house in a neighbouring street.

Meanwhile Avraham, fast asleep, had been carried to his new quarters. He was put in a beautiful room, with Sarah at his side waiting for him to awaken. At dawn he woke up. Looking around with great surprise, he exclaimed, Where am I? “

Sarah took his hand and stroking it gently, she said to him, My beloved, you are in my father’s house.” “What am I doing here? “He cried.

“You are just waking up,” she answered, “you remember when we yesterday visited the holy rabbi, you faithfully promised me that I might choose anything I liked best in our home and take it with me when I left your roof. Last night I left your house and I took you with me, as there was nothing in your home, or, for the matter of that, in all the world so precious to me as your dear self. You were the choicest possession in our old home, and you are mine now and forever. You have, by your promise to me, given yourself over to me. Divorce or no divorce, you are my property, for I know very well you always keep your promise.”

Avraham saw the humour of the situation in which he found himself, and laughed again and again at the wisdom and love of his clever wife. “Well done,” he exclaimed, “we are now agreed that the question of divorce is solved. Once again are we united and this time forever. Nothing shall part us as long as we live.”

Like all good people they lived a very happy life. In time a son was born and later on a daughter was given to them, and they all rejoiced in one another’s happiness.

Based on Song of Songs Rabbah 1:4

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Excerpted from, A Time to Separate, A Time to Come Together, abook written by Rabbi Rachmiel Tobesman that teaches children important skills to cope with the trauma and confusion so common when parents separate and divorce.

The book is available from the publisher at xlibris or on most book sites (Barnes and Noble, Booksamillion, etc) Just search “Tobesman”

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Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)

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The Blessing of a Greeting

Posted on Thursday, 3, October, 2013Thursday, 22, September, 2022 by Rabbi

The act of saying shalom to another person can be interpreted in a couple of ways. Many believe that by simply saying shalom to another person. We are really asking, “are you at peace? Is everything okay?” By extending the greeting of shalom (peace), one shows empathy and offers the recipient of the greeting the opportunity to speak openly and at times, invent invite them to ask for help. Others believe that by extending the greeting of shalom. There is no question. They believe that we are bringing a blessing down from heaven bless the person with shalom (peace), and in this way, praying that everything should be well with the recipient of the greeting and all those close and dear to them.

Sadly, today most people do not have either of these intentions in mind when they greet one another. Their only intention is to acknowledge that they are aware of the other person’s presence, or to introduce a conversation.

The word “shalom” is a reference to the Holy One, blessed be He and should be taken very seriously. By greeting someone with shalom, one is extending a sincere blessing of peace and also invites blessings from heaven. This is learned from Abraham. When God assured him, “I will bless those who bless you.” (Genesis 12:3)

Greeting people with shalom (peace) is an aspect of “love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18). The importance of this greeting is further in the words of King David “seek peace and pursue it” (Psalms 34:14).

Throughout Jewish teachings it is taught that one should do their best to initiate greeting others. The act of extending a friendly, sincere greeting is so important that the rabbis of old taught, “one should act in peace with one’s brothers, relatives, and all others, even non-Jewish people one meets along the way. In this way one will be beloved in Heaven and well liked on Earth.” (Berachos 17a)

The holy rabbi had a habit of taking long walks through the forests near Esztergom (Hungary) where he would study and pray. He was well known to the many people he met by his smile and kindly ways. Everyone he met along his walks he would give a warm greeting. Every morning on his way to the forest he would pass a farm and greet its owner “Jó reggelt kívánok László úr (Good morning Mr. Laszlo).” At first the farmer ignored the rabbi and even turned his back on him, but the rabbi greeted him always with a smile and in a friendly way. One day the farmer returned the rabbi’s greeting with a slight nod of his head. After a time, the farmer would smile and nod at the rabbi, one day Mr. Laszlo asked the rabbi always greeted him.

The rabbi explained that the Torah teaches that we are to love your neighbor as yourself. Mr. Laszlo looked at the rabbi quizzically and asked what is Torah. The rabbi answered, “Torah it is the Jewish Scriptures.” The farmer was more confused and responded, “I heard from the priest that Jewish people don’t read the Scriptures and that the Gospel Matthew said that. (Matthew 19:19)” The rabbi patiently explained, “The Torah is older than the Scriptures the priest teaches from, but the teaching can be found in the Book of Leviticus. Leviticus 19:18)” Mr. Laszlo smiled and extended his hand to the rabbi and said, “I guess I have much to learn.”

Soon many refugees from Bohemia came to Esztergom in those dark days ahead of the Crusaders and the rabbi was not seen by the farmer. The Crusaders were drunk on blood and fell upon any Jewish person they could find. They even attacked the people in Esztergom to rob them of their food and valuables.

The farmer, afraid they might storm the church itself, ran to the church in the center of the town. He met with the priest and asked him if it was a sin to like a Jewish person. The priest explained, “The Jewish people do not share our beliefs, but we are taught by our Holy Scriptures that one of the most important lessons we need to learn is to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:39). Why do you ask me this at this time?”

Mr. Laszlo told the priest how the rabbi greeted him each time he walked to the forest. The priest smiled and said, “The rabbi is indeed a holy man and he is here in the church. Would you like me to take you to him?” The farmer was surprised and asked why was the rabbi in the church. The Priest said only two words, “Sicut Judæis” (A papal decree intended to protect the Jewish communities from the excesses of the Crusaders. The Pope emphasized that Jews were entitled to “enjoy their lawful liberty.”) The priest continued, “We will protect them to the best of our ability. Now follow me into the catacombs”

The rabbi was teaching some children when he saw the grim faced priest approach. “Béke legyen veletek (Peace be unto you). Has the time come?” The priest smiled as Mr. Lazslo came from behind his red robes and said, “Good morning rabbi.”

Suddenly there was the sound of shouts and the attack began. The priest and the farmer ran to defend the church, the Jewish people hidden in the catacombs, and the holy rabbi. As far as the eye could see were Crusaders who demanded that the priest surrender all the Jewish people within the church walls. “No, they are under my protection!” was the only answer given. The horde pushed forward to storm the church, when a blast from a war horn was heard. For a moment there was silence as the Crusaders believed that more had joined in their attack. A second blast of the war horn was followed by a hail of arrows towards the Crusaders, the army of King Coloman of Hungary had arrived.

The rabbi and the Jewish people of Esztergom were spared from the carnage of the day by a simple greeting, shalom.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)

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The Will, the Servant and Torah

Posted on Wednesday, 24, July, 2013Thursday, 22, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Once a wealthy merchant traveled to a faraway land and left his son studying Torah (Scriptures) in a small wooden shul in the Holy City of Jerusalem. Before he left on his journey, the wealthy merchant reminded his son:

“This Book of the Torah (Scriptures) shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night. (Joshua 1:8) Study well my son.”

The merchant was very successful, but visiting a busy market, he fell sick. Each day he grew weaker and weaker until one day he called for a sofer (scribe) and told him, “write that all with which the Holy One, blessed be He has graced me I leave to my servant, but for my son, out of all the things I have left behind he may select whatever single valuable he desires.” The scribe wrote all that the wealthy merchant instructed him. A short time later the wealthy merchant died.

Once it became known that he was dead, the servant gathered all his property and took the will and came to the Holy City of Jerusalem. There he sought out the wealthy merchant’s son and said to him, “be it known to you that your father has passed away.” “Where is his wealth?” Asked the young man, the servant answered, “You have no share in his wealth for he left it all to me. Your father left you in his will to choose whatever object you desire out all of his belongings.”

When his son heard this, he told his rabbi, a wise and patient teacher:

“I have studied and engaged in the ways of Torah(Scriptures), assuming that if anything befell my father he would leave me his wealth. But now he has left all his wealth to his servant and wrote that I should choose any object I desire”

then the holy rabbi told him, “your father acted wisely. He did what he did in order that the servant should not simply take all his property. Now you to go to the judge’s court and he will tell you, “take whatever object you desire.” Then you place your hand on the servant can say I want this.””

When he did so, both the servant and all his property were the son’s, for whatever the servant has acquired the son had acquired. The wise King Solomon taught, “for to the man whom He considers good he gave wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner He gave the affair of collecting and gathering and giving to the good one.” Ecclesiastes (2:26)

The servant smiled and said, “How wise was the merchant to be blessed with such a son. I shall manage his estates while he continues to study the Holy Word.” turning to the wealthy merchant’s son he continued, “I have one more message for you from your father. ‘Study from love and honor will follow’ (Chovos haLevavos) and you will indeed gather much more wealth than your father.’ “

May we all follow in the ways of Torah (Scriptures) and be blessed with wisdom and goodness.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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The Magic Pomegranate Seeds

Posted on Monday, 27, May, 2013Monday, 4, September, 2023 by Rabbi

The times were bad, a poor woman was having a hard time finding food for her starving children. She had very little money and there was very little to buy in the market. As hard as she tried, she could find no work. She searched throughout the city, but there was no work to be found.

One day the poor woman was walking by the king’s palace and smelled a great and wondrous smell. She followed it to the door to the royal kitchen. As she looked through the door she saw a table with many loaves of bread sitting upon it. She thought to herself, “surely the king would not miss one loaf of bread.” So she quietly went into the kitchen and slipped one of the loaves of bread off of the table.

Suddenly, she heard someone scream, “Thief! Thief!” She turned around and saw that it was the cook. She pleaded with the cook not to report her to the king and the heart of the cook was softened to her pleas. Unfortunately the guards had heard the cook and came running and immediately grabbed poor woman and took her before the king.

The guards told King that the poor woman had stolen a loaf of bread from the royal kitchen. The King was barely paying attention and very nonchalantly replied, “someone dares to steal from the king, the punishment is clear. Put her to death.” As the poor woman listened she put her hands in her pocket and felt two pomegranate seeds.

The guards began to lead the poor woman out of the room, but as she passed the king she said to herself, “I guess the secret of the magic pomegranate seeds shall be lost forever.” The King heard the poor woman’s comment and being curious asked, “what is this about magic pomegranate seeds. A secret you have? What is this secret?”

The poor woman explained that her family had passed down the secret that when the pomegranate seeds were planted that they would grow immediately and within a week would be filled with beautiful fruit. The King hearing this told her he wanted proof and, at that, the next day she was to plant the magic pomegranate seeds in the royal garden.

Everyone gathered around as the poor woman was led into the royal garden. She reached into her pocket and pulled out the magic pomegranate seeds and laid them on the ground, dug a shallow hole and picked up the seeds to plant them. When suddenly she stopped and began to cry. The king asked her why was she crying he wanted to see these magic seeds begin to grow.

The poor woman, with tears in her eyes explained that the magic seeds would only grow if planted by someone who had never stolen anything. She went over to the king’s chamberlain and offered a seeds to him, but he hesitated and said, “sometimes I take things from the royal chambers to my home.”

The poor woman turned to the royal tax collector, he too refused the seeds explaining, “sometimes I don’t always record all the tax monies collected for the king. The poor woman turned to the Queen, and with tears in her eyes she sobbed, “I may have forgotten to pay the royal seamstress her full wages. One after another the people who had gathered in the royal garden refused to plant seeds. Finally the poor woman approached the king and told king that she would tell him the secret on how to make the seeds grow but the king put up his hand and said he could not.

The King took a deep breath and explained, “when I was a young boy my father had a magnificent necklace that he wore. More than anything in the world I wanted to hold and wear that beautiful necklace and so one day when no one is around I took the necklace. I brought it into my room and I held it up to the window and as the light caught shined on the fine stones, rainbows danced across my walls. I’ve never seen anything so wonderful in all my days. When my father realized necklace was missing he called all his servants together and no one knew what happened to the necklace. The king called his personal servant and his servant said he did not know where the necklace was and so he was beaten and cast out the Palace. I have told no one of this until this day.

The king looked at the poor woman and sadly said, “You have reminded me that a true king ‘judges the world with righteousness; he judges the peoples with equity.’ (Psalms 9:9) I know that you did not steal from the royal kitchen for your own sake or the hopes of wealth, but to merely feed your starving children. It is a matter of law that ‘Thieves are not despised who steal only to satisfy their appetite when they are hungry.’ (Proverbs 6:30) You have taught a foolish king, wisdom and have reminded me that ‘man does not live by bread alone, but by anything that the L-rd decrees’ (Deuteronomy 8:3). I invite you to come to the royal palace whenever you like and share your wisdom and anything in the royal kitchen you may like.’ “

Pomegranate

Pomegranate Relish with Jalapeno

Ingredients

Seeds of two pomegranates (or about two cups)	1 T lemon juice or mild vinegar
1 jalapeno, seeds removed, and minced	1 T orange juice
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil	4 T parsley, finely chopped
1-2 T pomegranate molasses or honey	Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Place your pomegranate seeds and finely chopped jalapeno in a bowl. I recommend Pyrex bowls with lids to store and serve.

Combine the juice, olive oil, molasses, and seasoning. Pour it over the pomegranate and jalapeno.

Mix in your chopped herbs. You can do this in advance but it’ll be best if added right before serving. I like to prepare it in a snack size bag and store it in the same dish, then pour it on right before I serve it.

Notes:

Refrigerate up to 3 days for optimal freshness.

If the oil solidifies when refrigerated, remove to room temperature for a bit before serving.

Rosh Hashanah

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)

Rachmiel Tobesman is a motivational speaker and Maggid (spiritual Storyteller). He is available for speaking engagements or storytelling, Click here to contact us

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Wisdom and Three Partners

Posted on Tuesday, 4, December, 2012Thursday, 22, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gets understanding….Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold on her; and happy is every one who holds her fast.

Proverbs 3:13, 17-18

Three close friends lived in a certain city. Together they decided that each one of them would travel to a different land and study a particular wisdom of that land. They agreed that upon concluding their studies, they would reunite and demonstrate what they had learned.

They did exactly that. Each one traveled to a distant land and pursued a different field of study.

After several years, the designated time arrived and the three friends came to the appointed meeting place. They were ecstatic to see each other once again, and once the initial joy had passed, they began to show off what they had learned.

“In the land that I was in,” said one of the friends, “I met an expert craftsman who taught me how to fashion powerful binoculars that enable one to see extremely far distances…”

“I,” said the second friend, “met a remarkable coachmen who taught me how to construct a wagon capable of traveling at great speeds. It can travel the lengthy distance of several miles in the blink of an eye!”

“And I,” said the third friend, “met an elderly doctor who taught me how to concoct an amazing medication capable of healing every type of illness!”

As they were admiring each other’s wisdom, the first friend displayed the binoculars he had made.

The friends took turns gazing through the powerful binoculars. Amazingly, they were able to see the capital city, which was a very long distance away. Looking inside the city, they observed a great commotion taking place. People were running through the streets in a panic, expressions of anguish and suffering etched upon their faces.

Adjusting the binoculars slightly the friends were able to discern the reason behind the commotion: The king’s daughter had taken ill, and the doctors had given up hope of finding a remedy. A proclamation therefore went out calling upon anyone capable of lending assistance. In addition, whoever succeeded in curing the king’s daughter would receive an enormous sum of money as a reward.

“It is a pity that I am not in the capital right now,” said the friend who had been taught the art of healing. “Had I been there, I would have presented the king’s daughter with a remedy that would cure her instantly. However, I am too far away…”

“That is not a problem in the least,” remarked the second friend. “Why, the coach that I built could get you to the capital in a matter of minutes.”

The three friends boarded the remarkable coach, and, indeed, they arrived in the capital in the blink of an eye. They stopped at the palace gates and immediately presented the king’s daughter with the amazing remedy.

Lo and behold, upon tasting the medicine, her condition improved considerably. Before long, she underwent a total recovery!

At that point, however, the friends began to argue as to which one of them was entitled to the hefty reward that the king had offered.

“If not for my binoculars,” said the first friend, “you would never have known that the king’s daughter was sick.”

“So what?” answered the second friend. “If not for my coach, it would have taken you a month to get to the capital city”

“You are both correct,” said the third friend. “But what good would it have done you to know that the king’s daughter was sick? And once you would have gotten to the capital — what would you have done then? Truthfully, it was only my medication that made all the difference!”

The king listened to their claims and after consulting with his sagacious advisors, turned to the men and exclaimed, “It is certainly true that if we are to judge on basis of what transpired in the past, it would be rather difficult to determine which one of you deserves the reward. But if we take the future into account…Let us see,” continued the king, “From now on, we will have absolutely no use for your wondrous binoculars. The same thing applies to the spectacular coach. We may very well require more of this unique medicine, however. Therefore, the reward shall be granted to the provider of the medicine!”

There are three partners in the creation of a human being: the Holy One, blessed be He, a father, and a mother. Yet when we desire to know which one of the three a man must obey and respect the most, we must realize that once a child is born, his parents have fulfilled their part of the partnership. Yet we are forever dependent on the Holy One, blessed be He, as He continuously provides us with life!

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Listen to more stories told by the Master Storyteller, Rabbi Rachmiel Tobesman – The Treasures of the King, the Princess and the Peat Digger, Seven Jewish stories, on iTunes and Amazon or Coins, Candles and Faith, eight stories of faith on iTunes and Amazon

The Two Brothers

Posted on Tuesday, 14, August, 2012Thursday, 22, September, 2022 by Rabbi

There once was a wealthy man who had two sons living in a distant city. One of the sons was a successful businessman who had grown very wealthy; the other, a penniless pauper. It had been many years since the two brothers had last seen their father, and their reasons for this varied according to their personal situations. Due to his business dealings which were extremely time-consuming, the first brother was simply unable to spare the time to visit his father. The second brother, on the other hand, endured day-to-day hardships that did not allow him to leave home.

One day, the wealthy brother decided that enough time had passed since he had seen his father. He therefore resolved to take a short leave of his business and visit him. He approached his brother and suggested that he accompany him on his lengthy journey.

Upon hearing his brother’s words, the poor brother thought to himself, “This is a golden opportunity for me. As a rule, I hesitate to go around the city collecting charity, for this would be an embarrassment to my distinguished brother. However, now that we will be taking leave of our city I will be able to go from door-to- door in order to raise money”

The brothers set out on their long journey, each one with a different motive in mind. The first brother wished to see his father, while the second wanted to collect alms in places where he would not be recognized.

At the same time, their elderly father was sitting in his home and thinking, “I have two sons in a distant city who do not have the free time necessary to pay me a visit. I yearn to see them, but what can I do?” He immediately decided, “I will travel to them instead!”

And so he did.

Traveling on the road, the brothers met up with their father However; while the wealthy brother was overjoyed to meet his beloved father, the poor son lamented his lost opportunity.

A holy person’s sole intention when he eats is to maintain his body in order to serve the Holy One, blessed be He. An impious person, however, eats in order to satisfy his cravings.

If a person wishes to discover which category he belongs to, it is not very difficult to determine. Let him simply observe his reaction if he becomes satisfied before having finished his portion. A holy person feels great joy over having fulfilled his purpose in eating; an impious person, on the other hand, suffers terribly…

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Listen to more stories told by the Master Storyteller, Rabbi Rachmiel Tobesman – The Treasures of the King, the Princess and the Peat Digger, Seven Jewish stories, on iTunes and Amazon or Coins, Candles and Faith, eight stories of faith on iTunes and Amazon

The Cracked Bucket

Posted on Sunday, 22, July, 2012Thursday, 22, September, 2022 by Rabbi

In a small village there was a widow that supported herself and her children by carrying water from the nearby river to the Jewish homes. She had two water buckets which were attached to a sturdy yoke. Each day she would wake up early say a prayer to the Holy One, blessed be He, bless her children before she sent them off to learn the Holy Writings, then put the heavy yoke over her shoulders and went down to the river. At the river she would let down the yoke and filled her buckets with water. Once the buckets were filled she would lift the heavy yoke upon her shoulders and walk back to the village.

Everyday bucket on the right side of the yoke was fine and sturdy always filled when she returned to the village, but the bucket on the left had a small crack in it and by the time the woman arrived back in the village, a lot of the water was usually gone.

The cracked water bucket always felt very bad and was ashamed that he was cracked and wasn’t pulling his weight. One day he turned to the woman and apologized for being cracked.

The woman smiled gently and said, “Did you think I didn’t know that you had a crack, and water dripped from you? Look at the path from the river to the village. Do you see all the beautiful flowers that are growing on the side of the path? Those are the flowers that I planted there, that you watered every day as I walked from the river to the village. How many students have stopped and said a blessing over the beauty of the flowers? How many of those flowers brightened the Shabbos or Yom Tov table? How many words of Torah were said as holy men walked along the path?”

The woman continued, “Remember the words:

‘I went down to the garden of nut trees to look at the green plants in the valley, to see if the vines had blossomed or the pomegranates were in flower.’ (Song of Songs 6:11)

What do you think they mean? Let me explain “I went down into the garden of nuts” –this is the world; “to look at the green plants of the valley” — these are the righteous; “to see whether the vine had blossomed” –this is the houses of study or anywhere the Holy Words is learned; “and the pomegranates were in flower” (ibid.)–these are young children who sit occupied with the lessons of Torah (Scriptures) and are arrayed in row upon row, like the seeds of a pomegranate. (Song Rabbah 6:11, #1).

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Gifts and Fair Wages

Posted on Monday, 25, June, 2012Thursday, 22, September, 2022 by Rabbi

She stretches out her hand to the poor; yea, she reaches her hands to the needy.

Proverbs 31:20

The wife of a holy rabbi once gave a beautiful piece of cloth to a tailor so that he might sew her a dress. When the tailor finished the dress, he carried it to the holy rabbi’s wife, set it down and sighed deeply.

“What’s the matter?” the the holy woman asked. “Why are you so unhappy with the dress? It is truly beautiful and a credit to your skills”

In great pain, the tailor answered, “My daughter has become engaged to a fine young man. One day, seeing me sewing such a beautiful dress, the young man thought that it was for his bride. Learning that it would not be hers has filled him with sorrow.” The holy woman was filled with care and kindness that she picked up the dress and handed it to the tailor.

“This is a present for your daughter, the kallah (bride), for are we not taught, ‘Lift up your eyes round about and see; all these gather together and come to you. As I live, says the L-rd, you shall surely clothe yourself with them all as with an ornament and bind them on yourself like a bride. (Isaiah 49:18) ‘” she said warmly.

The tailor was speechless and gathered up the dress and thanked the holy woman for her gift. He was about to leave when the holy woman called him back as she took out her purse and handed the tailor 5 gold coins.

The confused tailor looked at her and asked, “What is this? You have graciously given my daughter this beautiful dress and her heart will be filled with joy.” The holy woman looked at the surprised tailor and answered, “You worked hard for a full week making this fine dress for me, and not for your daughter. With tired eyes and strained fingers you worked hard so that you might earn a little money for your family. Now I ask you, what will you and your family eat? Just because I gave you a gift for your daughter, does that mean that you should not be paid a fair wage for your work?” Should I violate that is taught: “The wages of one who is hired shall not abide with you all night until the morning.” (Leviticus 19:13)May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Listen to more stories told by the Master Storyteller, Rabbi Rachmiel Tobesman – The Treasures of the King, the Princess and the Peat Digger, Seven Jewish stories, on iTunes and Amazon or Coins, Candles and Faith, eight stories of faith on iTunes and Amazon

The Son of Esau and the Son of Jacob

Posted on Monday, 21, May, 2012Monday, 8, January, 2024 by Rabbi

When the Second Temple still rose high in the Holy City of Jerusalem, Rabbi Eleazar ben Shammua was walking along the seashore. He saw a ship sinking, and indeed, everybody on board was drowned except for one man who was clinging to a plank. The billows flung him from wave to wave until, finally, they flung him ashore, naked and bare. When he reached the shore, he hid himself in the sand because he felt ashamed to be bare and naked.

Just then a caravan of Jewish travelers passed who were making the pilgrimage to the holy city of Jerusalem. The man approached and said to them, “Have pity on me, good friends, for surely we are brothers, the offspring of Esau son of Isaac, who was the father of your father Jacob. Take pity and have mercy on me and give me something to cover my nakedness from the loins to the knees, for it shames me to be naked like this after all my garments have sunk in the sea.”

Then the Jewish travelers answered him: “May all your people and kindred be like you!” And they went their way and had no pity on him. And indeed not only did they have no pity on him, but they even cursed him and all his nation.

When the man raised his eyes and saw Rabbi Eleazar ben Shammua walking along the seashore, he approached him and said: “I see that you are a respected elder among your people, and you know the respect in which all men should be held. I entreat you please to give me some garment in order to cover my flesh and conceal my embarrassment, for I am ashamed to remain naked as when I came forth from my mother’s womb; for all my clothes were lost at sea.”

Rabbi Eleazar at once took off one of his own garments and clad the man in it. He took him and led him to his home where he gave him food and drink; and he also gave him two hundred pieces of silver money. He also showed him great honor, accompanying him fourteen leagues until he brought him to his own place.

Sometime later the ruler of this city died, and the man who had been saved from the sea was appointed ruler in his place. He immediately decreed that all the Jewish people who lived there should be slain, because of the answer the Jewish travelers had given him when he asked for something to cover his nakedness, saying: “May all your people be naked like you!”

The Jewish people from that city went to Rabbi Eleazar at once and said to him: “Our teacher! you must go to the new ruler and plead with him on our behalf. Maybe your words will serve to deliver us from his evil intention.”

“Do you not know,” said Rabbi Eleazar, “that these rulers pay no attention to words but only to good red gold? You must give me some gift in ready money of which one may be proud in order to take it to him. Then I can speak to him, and maybe my words will be listened to and I can atone for your transgression.” So they gave Rabbi Eleazar four thousand gold pieces to take with him as a gift for the governor of the city.

So Rabbi Eleazar went to the ruler. He stood at the entrance to his palace and told the guard at the gate to inform the governor that an old Jewish rabbi wishes to speak with him. The guard went and told the ruler who instructed that he should be admitted.

As soon as Rabbi Eleazar entered and the ruler saw him, the ruler rose to his feet and received him with much honor, and asked: “What distresses you that you should have taken the trouble to come here?” To which Rabbi Eleazar replied: “My lord! I have come to beg you to have mercy on the Jewish people of this city and annul the decree you have proclaimed against them.”

“Can any falsehood be written in your Torah?” asked the ruler. “Heaven forbid,” answered Rabbi Eleazar. “Our Torah is the truth.” “And yet,” said the ruler, “your Torah states in Deuteronomy (23:4-5,7): ‘An Ammonite and a Moabite shall not enter the congregation of the Lord; … because they did not welcome you with bread and water,’ while the next verse goes on: ‘You shall not abominate an Edomite, for he is your brother.’ Now in that case why did they not take pity on me when they saw that I was bare and naked and had nothing? Am I not your brother from the sons of Esau? That is why they are worthy of death, because they transgressed the commandments of the Torah.”

At this, Rabbi Eleazar answered: “Even if they did do something that was not proper and not in accordance with their law, you should treat them with kindness as is fitting to a great man like you, and have mercy on them.”

“Do you not know,” said the ruler, “that the authorities never do any kindness except for a good high price?” And then Rabbi Eleazar told him: “See, I have four thousand gold pieces with me. I give them to you, and you will know how to act wisely with the authorities and have pity on them.”

“The four thousand gold pieces,” replied the ruler, “are yours as a gift from me in return for the two hundred silver coins which you gave me. As for the Jewish people of this city, I forgive them their transgression and annul my decree for your sake, because you took me to your home and gave me food and drink. And in return for the garment you gave me to cover my flesh when I was naked, go to my treasury and take seventy of the finest robes which suit you. And go in peace to your people, for I have already pardoned them for your sake.”

Koheles Rabbah 11:2

The blessings of peace should be shared by all the people we come in contact with. Let us all work to live what we believe and improve this world we all live in.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)

Rachmiel Tobesman is a motivational speaker and Maggid (spiritual Storyteller). He is available for speaking engagements or storytelling, Click here to contact us

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Faith and belief are very powerful yet in today’s society it is all too often challenged by science and technology. So many become lost amid the many theories and gadgets that they have a hard time believing in anything based upon faith.

In a society that that offers so many diversions it is very hard to stay on the path of one’s beliefs. The morals of society are often at odds with those of faith. Truth be said we never know how the Holy One, blessed be He will use our small acts of love for His great purposes

There was a wise and kind king who was loved and respected by everyone in his kingdom. Now there was a villager who felt a deep love for the king, and this villager wanted more than anything to draw close to the king and to serve him.

One day, villager heard king’s palace needed a skilled person to like the stoves in the palace every morning. The villager was very qualified for this position, and he applied and was accepted for the job.

The villager did his work with his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, devoting all his energies into his job to make sure the king’s palace would be warm and comfortable. He carried out his job faithfully for many years, driven by his intense desire to serve the king.

The greatest blessing that can be given is that you should serve the King with the same feeling as the villager, who sole desire was to bring up a new generation of servants who would do the King’s will fully and with boundless love.”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Long, long ago, there lived in an old town a happy couple named Avraham and Sarah. Although they loved one another very much, their happiness was not complete. They had been married for nearly ten years, but they had not been blessed with a child.

Sarah would often sit in her room and cry. She prayed every day to Hashem to grant her the blessing of having a son or a daughter. Avraham did his best to comfort her by telling her that Hashem heard her heart felt prayer and would answer them at the right time.

At the same time, he felt very sad when he came home and thought of Sarah’s pain. He would have given anything to have had a little son who might be taught the holy Torah which he loved so well.

At last when the anniversary of their tenth marriage day arrived, Avraham said to his wife, ” Let us visit today our true friend and guide the holy rabbi to ask his advice on what we should do.”

Meanwhile Avraham, fast asleep, had been carried to his new quarters. He was put in a beautiful room, with Sarah at his side waiting for him to awaken. At dawn he woke up. Looking around with great surprise, he exclaimed, ­ Where am I? “

Sarah took his hand and stroking it gently, she said to him,­ My beloved, you are in my father’s house.” “What am I doing here? “He cried.

Like all good people they lived a very happy life. In time a son was born and later on a daughter was given to them, and they all rejoiced in one another’s happiness.

Based on Song of Songs Rabbah 1:4

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Excerpted from, A Time to Separate, A Time to Come Together, abook written by Rabbi Rachmiel Tobesman that teaches children important skills to cope with the trauma and confusion so common when parents separate and divorce.

The book is available from the publisher at xlibris or on most book sites (Barnes and Noble, Booksamillion, etc) Just search “Tobesman”

Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)

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Sadly, today most people do not have either of these intentions in mind when they greet one another. Their only intention is to acknowledge that they are aware of the other person’s presence, or to introduce a conversation.

Greeting people with shalom (peace) is an aspect of “love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18). The importance of this greeting is further in the words of King David “seek peace and pursue it” (Psalms 34:14).

The rabbi was teaching some children when he saw the grim faced priest approach. “Béke legyen veletek (Peace be unto you). Has the time come?” The priest smiled as Mr. Lazslo came from behind his red robes and said, “Good morning rabbi.”

The rabbi and the Jewish people of Esztergom were spared from the carnage of the day by a simple greeting, shalom.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)

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Once a wealthy merchant traveled to a faraway land and left his son studying Torah (Scriptures) in a small wooden shul in the Holy City of Jerusalem. Before he left on his journey, the wealthy merchant reminded his son:

“This Book of the Torah (Scriptures) shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night. (Joshua 1:8) Study well my son.”

When his son heard this, he told his rabbi, a wise and patient teacher:

“I have studied and engaged in the ways of Torah(Scriptures), assuming that if anything befell my father he would leave me his wealth. But now he has left all his wealth to his servant and wrote that I should choose any object I desire”

May we all follow in the ways of Torah (Scriptures) and be blessed with wisdom and goodness.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

The times were bad, a poor woman was having a hard time finding food for her starving children. She had very little money and there was very little to buy in the market. As hard as she tried, she could find no work. She searched throughout the city, but there was no work to be found.

Pomegranate Relish with Jalapeno

Ingredients

Seeds of two pomegranates (or about two cups)

1 T lemon juice or mild vinegar

1 jalapeno, seeds removed, and minced

1 T orange juice

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

4 T parsley, finely chopped

1-2 T pomegranate molasses or honey

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Place your pomegranate seeds and finely chopped jalapeno in a bowl. I recommend Pyrex bowls with lids to store and serve.

Combine the juice, olive oil, molasses, and seasoning. Pour it over the pomegranate and jalapeno.

Mix in your chopped herbs. You can do this in advance but it’ll be best if added right before serving. I like to prepare it in a snack size bag and store it in the same dish, then pour it on right before I serve it.

Notes:

Refrigerate up to 3 days for optimal freshness.

If the oil solidifies when refrigerated, remove to room temperature for a bit before serving.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)

Rachmiel Tobesman is a motivational speaker and Maggid (spiritual Storyteller). He is available for speaking engagements or storytelling, Click here to contact us

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Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gets understanding….Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold on her; and happy is every one who holds her fast.

Proverbs 3:13, 17-18

Three close friends lived in a certain city. Together they decided that each one of them would travel to a different land and study a particular wisdom of that land. They agreed that upon concluding their studies, they would reunite and demonstrate what they had learned.

They did exactly that. Each one traveled to a distant land and pursued a different field of study.

After several years, the designated time arrived and the three friends came to the appointed meeting place. They were ecstatic to see each other once again, and once the initial joy had passed, they began to show off what they had learned.

“In the land that I was in,” said one of the friends, “I met an ex­pert craftsman who taught me how to fashion powerful binoculars that enable one to see extremely far distances…”

“I,” said the second friend, “met a remarkable coachmen who taught me how to construct a wagon capable of traveling at great speeds. It can travel the lengthy distance of several miles in the blink of an eye!”

“And I,” said the third friend, “met an elderly doctor who taught me how to concoct an amazing medication capable of healing every type of illness!”

As they were admiring each other’s wisdom, the first friend dis­played the binoculars he had made.

“It is a pity that I am not in the capital right now,” said the friend who had been taught the art of healing. “Had I been there, I would have presented the king’s daughter with a remedy that would cure her instantly. However, I am too far away…”

“That is not a problem in the least,” remarked the second friend. “Why, the coach that I built could get you to the capital in a matter of minutes.”

The three friends boarded the remarkable coach, and, indeed, they arrived in the capital in the blink of an eye. They stopped at the palace gates and immediately presented the king’s daughter with the amazing remedy.

Lo and behold, upon tasting the medicine, her condition im­proved considerably. Before long, she underwent a total recovery!

At that point, however, the friends began to argue as to which one of them was entitled to the hefty reward that the king had offered.

“If not for my binoculars,” said the first friend, “you would never have known that the king’s daughter was sick.”

“So what?” answered the second friend. “If not for my coach, it would have taken you a month to get to the capital city”

Meanwhile Avraham, fast asleep, had been carried to his new quarters. He was put in a beautiful room, with Sarah at his side waiting for him to awaken. At dawn he woke up. Looking around with great surprise, he exclaimed, Where am I? “

Sarah took his hand and stroking it gently, she said to him, My beloved, you are in my father’s house.” “What am I doing here? “He cried.

Please share this story with family and friends and let us know what you think or feel about the stories in a comment or two. Like us on Facebook, reddit, Linkedin or tweet us on *Twitter***

“In the land that I was in,” said one of the friends, “I met an expert craftsman who taught me how to fashion powerful binoculars that enable one to see extremely far distances…”

As they were admiring each other’s wisdom, the first friend displayed the binoculars he had made.

Lo and behold, upon tasting the medicine, her condition improved considerably. Before long, she underwent a total recovery!